Broncos-Chiefs and Week 8 Picks!

Before we get to the Chiefs-Broncos game this week, a little housecleaning from last Thursday's 45-10 Broncos win over the Cardinals. It was fun game to watch and it was great seeing Denver cruise to a blowout win, but let's remember that the Cardinals are one of the worst teams in the league. The Broncos are not good, and we took advantage of a really bad team, so as excited as I was to watch them kick the crap out of the Cardinals, I have to take it with a grain of salt. It was fun to watch Todd Davis and Chris Harris both have pick-sixes in the first quarter. It was also great to see Emmanuel Sanders throw a TD pass on a trick play to Courtland Sutton, and then catch a 64 yard bomb to help give the Broncos a 35-3 lead going into halftime. Overall, it was nice to get the win, but let's see how it goes this week in Kansas City. Speaking of KC, I really don't give Denver much of a chance this week. Arrowhead is always a tough place to play, and the Chiefs are 6-1 and rolling along in the AFC. I think they will jump on Denver early and continue the barrage all game long. I can't see how Denver's defense will keep this game close.

Prediction: KANSAS CITY (-10) over Denver
Final Score: Chiefs-38 Broncos-10

Now onto the picks for Week 8....

Last Week's Record: 7-6-1

Overall Record: 51-46-7
(HOME TEAM IN CAPS)

Philly (-3) over Jacksonville (London): Two teams that are 3-4 and having disappointing seasons head over to London in a very important game. Someone will be 3-5 after this game is over, and I think the Eagles will get the win.

Seattle (+3) over DETROIT: The Lions have rebounded to get to 3-3 and Seattle comes in at 3-3. I like the Seahawks in this spot, and I think they will do enough to get the win on the road.

CINCY (-5) over Tampa Bay: The Bengals got thumped by the Chiefs last week and now they return home to take on the 3-3 Bucs. I see the Bengals getting back on the winning track this week with a big home win.

PITTSBURGH (-7) over Cleveland: I think the Steelers are getting their grove back and I would expect them to win at home over the Browns. I can the Steelers start to make a run at this point in the year.

Baltimore (PICK) over CAROLINA: This is a really good game Carolina on Sunday. The Panthers are 4-2 and coming off a huge road win in Philly after being down 17-0 in the 4th quarter. The Ravens lose a tough one at home to the Saints, and I usually don't like the Ravens on the road, but I like them in this spot. I think this will be a battle that could go either way.

CHICAGO (-7) over NY Jets: I think this will be a tough one for the Jets on the road in Chicago. I like the Bears and their defense in this spot. Look for the Bears to win this game and put the Jets at 3-5.

Washington (-1) over NY GIANTS: The Giants are a mess at 1-6, and the Redskins are 4-2 and in the lead in the NFC East. I think they will do enough to get the win on the road and get to 5-2.

OAKLAND (+3) over Indy: The 1-5 Raiders host the 2-5 Colts. I think the Raiders will rally around and play well in this spot at home, and I think they will get their second win.

Green Bay (+9) over LA RAMS: This is the only marquee game in the late window on Sunday afternoon. I could see the Packers getting blown out in LA, but I'm picking them because I could see Aaron Rodgers getting the backdoor cover. I think the 7-0 Rams will remain undefeated but I think the Packers will cover the number.

San Francisco (PICK) over ARIZONA: The 1-6 Cardinals take on the 1-6 49ers. I won't watch one minute of this game. I'll take SF.

New Orleans (+3) over MINNESOTA: This is a great game on SNF featuring the 5-1 Saints and the 4-2-1 Vikings in Minnesota. It is a rematch of last year's epic NFC Divisional Playoff won by Minnesota on the "Minnesota Miracle." I think the Saints get revenge in a great back and forth game.

New England (-13) over BUFFALO: What an awful game for Monday Night Football. The Pats will roll over the Bills in a snoozefest.

Week 8 TNF Pick

Miami (+7) over HOUSTON

Week 7 Picks!

Here are my picks for Week 7 in the National Football League.......

Last Week's Record: 8-6-0
Overall Record: 44-40-6
(HOME TEAM IN CAPS)

Tennessee (+7) over LA Chargers (London): Interesting game in London that starts at 9:30 am EST and 6:30 am PST. I think the Titans will keep this game close. Everyone is going to pick the Chargers, but remember they played in Cleveland last week and now are over in London. I'll take the Titans as a live dog.

JACKSONVILLE (-5) over Houston: At 3-3, the Jags return home and need to get back on the winning track. I think they will overwhelm Houston at home, and their defense will play much better.

Detroit (-2) over MIAMI: I like the Lions to go on the road and get to 3-3 with a win over the Fish, who have to start Brock Osweiler for the second straight week, and I can't see him playing as well as he did last week in the win over Chicago.

Carolina (+5) over PHILLY: The Panthers head to Philly, and although I don't think Carolina is a good road team, I think they will play well here in this spot. I still think the Eagles are finding their way. Expect a close game, but look for a field goal to decide it late.

INDY (-7) over Buffalo: With Josh Allen hurt for the time being, the Bills have to go with newly signed Derek Anderson at QB because Nathan Peterman is just that bad. Now, Indy comes to town at 1-5, but very competitive the last few weeks. The Colts will get their second win of the season this week.

New England (-3) over CHICAGO: I like this game a lot in the early window. It will be interesting to see how the Bears defense matches up with the Pats offense. I was going to take the Bears, but I can't go against the Pats. I think they will be locked in.

Cleveland (+3) over TAMPA BAY: The Bucs have lost three in a row and they fired their offensive coordinator Mike Smith this week. The Browns come to town 2-3-1, but got buried at home to the Chargers last week. I'll take the Browns on the road getting the points.

Minnesota (-3) over NY JETS: The Jets have won two in a row and are 3-3. The Vikings are 3-2-1, and I think the Jets are in for it this week. This could be a tricky spot for the Vikings, but I think they will take care of business.

BALTIMORE (-2) over New Orleans: Great late game on Sunday afternoon. The Ravens are always as different team at home. I give their defense the advantage against the high-flying Saints. I'll take them at home only laying two points.

WASHINGTON (-1) over Dallas: Big game in the NFC East. I think the 3-2 Redskins will find a way to get it done at home over their bitter rivals. I'm still not sold on Dallas even after their blowout win over Jacksonville last week.

SAN FRANCISCO (+9) over LA Rams: This is the third game of a three game roadtrip for the Rams and they have to be feeling a little from the last two weeks. I think the Rams will win and get to 7-0, but look for the 49ers to be a tough out and keep it closer than people think.

Cincy (+7) over KANSAS CITY: The Chiefs will win the game at home, but look for the Bengals to keep it close. I would expect a back and forth game for awhile.

ATLANTA (-5) over NY Giants: The 1-5 Giants are done, and now they head to Atlanta to take on the Falcons. The Falcons are banged up all over the place, and injuries have taken their toll. Look for the Falcons to win and get to 3-4.

Broncos-Cardinals TNF Pick!

The 2-4 Broncos head to Arizona to take on the 1-5 Cardinals. Not exactly the thriller that FOX had for this week's Thursday Night Football game. The Broncos need to win to keep their season somewhat meaningful. A loss tonight could put the nail in the coffin of Vance Joseph. Of course I want to see the Broncos win, but even if they win, they are doing anything this season. They head to KC next week, so they will be 3-5 after eight games. They aren't going on a run the second half of the season-especially with two games against the Chargers, one against Pitt, and one against Cincy. If they lose tonight, then maybe John Elway admits the mistake of hiring VJ, and puts him out of his misery. We'll see, but I can't trust the Broncos to win a road game since they are 1-9 under Vance Joseph and haven't won a road game since December of 2016.

Prediction: ARIZONA (+1) over Denver
Final Score: Cardinals-24 Broncos-17

Broncos Can't Get Past Rams, Lose Fourth in a Row

The Broncos didn't get blown out on Sunday, and they were able to mount a comeback against the Rams but ultimately they fell 23-20 after they couldn't recover the onside kick in the waning moments. It was the fourth loss in a row for the Broncos and they now stand at 2-4, and the hot seat under head coach Vance Joseph just got engulfed in flames. It is starting to look like 2017 all over again, and if it doesn't get fixed soon, there are going to be heads that will roll in Denver. Here are my thoughts and observations on the game...

1) This sequence just about sums up everything that is wrong with this Broncos team. Trailing 6-0, Case Keenum hits Emmanuel Sanders for a deep ball that appears to be a touchdown. Sanders scores, then points his finger at the cornerback of the Rams, and then draws a taunting penalty. The play is reviewed and it shows that Sanders was actually down by contact at the one, but the penalty stands and now the Bronocos don't get the touchdown, and have to start from the 16 instead of having the ball at the one. Of course, Denver settles for a field goal and makes it 6-3 instead of taking a 7-6 lead.

2) The Broncos were down 13-3 with 39 seconds left in the half and they faced a 4th and 3 from the Rams 39 yard line. VJ elected to go for it, and Case Keenum got sacked. Now, the Broncos defense bailed them out by forcing a punt, but it was a risky move by VJ. I don't have that much of an issue going for it but the playcall was awful. They needed three yards, and the receivers all ran downfield routes. What an awful call and execution as Devontae Booker missed the blitzer. Just bad football all around.

3) The Broncos offensive line is pretty bad. Garrett Bolles holds every game, they can't give Keenum time, and its a bad mix. Keenum holds the ball too long and the team is terrible in the red zone. They ran a fade to Jeff Heuerman in the endzone in the 4th quarter when they were attempting to comeback. It's a bad line, with a below average QB, and spotty playcalling. That's why they are struggling on offense.

4) The Broncos run defense got gashed once again-this time by Todd Gurley. Gurley ran for 208 yards, and the Broncos simply couldn't stop him. They did a nice job on Jared Goff and the passing attack, but got overrun by Gurley, and that proved to be the difference. I can't believe how bad their run defense has been the last two weeks.

5) On a positive note, Bradley Chubb had three sacks and played well throughout. Von Miller also added a sack and the Broncos had six on the day. An interception by Darian Stewart off a deflection got the Broncos back in the game after a Keenum pick in the 3rd quarter. The defense certainly isn't where it needs to be but they did a pretty good job at times on the Rams offense.

6) I never thought the Broncos were going to win this game, but they did make it close in the 4th quarter, and they had chances throughout the game to take the lead and take the game over, but they couldn't do it. It is a fourth straight loss and at 2-4, it looks like another lost season. They head to Arizona to take on the 1-5 Cardinals this Thursday night. If they lose, I think Vance Joseph is gone, but even if they win to get to 3-4, they still have a trip to Arrowhead to take on the Chiefs next week. Do you really think this team and this coaching staff are going to turn this thing around this year? Part of me wants them to lose to see it get blown up now, but a part of me wants them to win to keep this season competitive. The sad part is the losing is becoming the norm now for Broncos fans, and that is something that hasn't ever lasted in my lifetime as a fan.

Broncos-Rams and Week 6 Picks!

The Broncos come home to Mile High after a terrible loss at the Jets last week and on a three game losing streak at 2-3. The Rams come into town 5-0 and the best team in the NFC. The Broncos are big underdogs at home and the weather is calling for snow and 30 degree temps. I think the only advantage the Broncos have in this game is the weather and the homefield. How the hell is Vance Joseph and Joe Woods going to find a way to outcoach Sean McVay and the Rams offense? I can't see it happening. The Broncos are in for a rough one, and I think the Rams will pull away in the second half and send the Broncos to their fourth straight loss.

LA Rams (-7) over DENVER
Final Score: Rams-30 Broncos-20

Now onto the picks for Week 6...
Last Week's Record: 9-5-1
Overall Record: 36-34-6
(HOME TEAM IN CAPS)

MINNESOTA (-9) over Arizona: The Vikings are 2-2-1 and coming off a big win over the Eagles last week. They blew a bad one at home to the Bills earlier in the season, and I don't see it happening to the 1-4 Cards this week.

CLEVELAND (+1) over LA Chargers: Interesting game in the AFC this week. The Browns are 2-2-1 after a big win over the Ravens last week, and the Chargers are 3-2 but have to come all the way to Cleveland in the early window. I think the Browns will find a way to beat the Chargers and get to three wins.

MIAMI (+4) over Chicago: Everything points to a Bears win here, but I have a feeling that the Dolphins will pull the upset at home.

WASHINGTON (-1) over Carolina: I think the Redskins will rebound after getting blown out against the Saints last week. I think the Panthers aren't a great road team, and the Skins win a close one.

Indy (+3) over NY JETS: Andrew Luck finds a way to keep the Colts in the game and wins it late on a last minute drive.

CINCY (-2) over Pittsburgh: I think the Bengals are the best team in the AFC North and I think they prove it once again with a big home win over the Steelers.

ATLANTA (-3) over Tampa Bay: Atlanta is more desperate at 1-4 and they need the win badly. I can't see them losing three in a row at home.

Seattle (-3) over Oakland (London): The first London game of the year and the Seahawks will take care of business and send the Raiders to 1-5.

Buffalo (+10) over HOUSTON: No way this Texans team should be favored by 10 points over anyone-even the Bills.

Jacksonville (-3) over DALLAS: Jacksonville's defense will be too much for the Cowboys offense. Look for the Jags to get back on track and get to 4-2.

TENNESSEE (+3) over Baltimore: This is a pretty big game in the AFC. I like the Titans at home as a home underdog in this spot. I still don't trust the Ravens on the road.

Kansas City (+4) over NEW ENGLAND: It is hard to bet against Belichick and Brady at home on a Sunday night, but I think the Chiefs will do enough to find a way to win the game.

GREEN BAY (-9) over San Francisco: The 49ers look done at 1-4 and are probably headed for a top five pick in the draft. The Packers are shaky and Aaron Rodgers is still banged up, but they should find a way to win the game easily at home on MNF.

Eagles-Giants Week 6 TNF Pick!

Philly (-3) over NY GIANTS